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Ubuntu 16.04 LTS : Linux kernel (HWE) vulnerabilities (USN-3777-2)

high Nessus Plugin ID 117873

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Synopsis

The remote Ubuntu host is missing one or more security updates.

Description

The remote Ubuntu 16.04 LTS host has a package installed that is affected by multiple vulnerabilities as referenced in the USN-3777-2 advisory.

 USN-3777-1 fixed vulnerabilities in the Linux kernel for Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. This update provides the corresponding updates for the Linux Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel from Ubuntu 18.04 LTS for Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.

 Jann Horn discovered that the vmacache subsystem did not properly handle sequence number overflows, leading to a use-after-free vulnerability. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2018-17182)

 It was discovered that the paravirtualization implementation in the Linux kernel did not properly handle some indirect calls, reducing the effectiveness of Spectre v2 mitigations for paravirtual guests. A local attacker could use this to expose sensitive information. (CVE-2018-15594)

 It was discovered that microprocessors utilizing speculative execution and prediction of return addresses via Return Stack Buffer (RSB) may allow unauthorized memory reads via sidechannel attacks. An attacker could use this to expose sensitive information. (CVE-2018-15572)

 Andy Lutomirski and Mika Penttil discovered that the KVM implementation in the Linux kernel did not properly check privilege levels when emulating some instructions. An unprivileged attacker in a guest VM could use this to escalate privileges within the guest. (CVE-2018-10853)

 It was discovered that a stack-based buffer overflow existed in the iSCSI target implementation of the Linux kernel. A remote attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash).
 (CVE-2018-14633)

 It was discovered that a memory leak existed in the IRDA subsystem of the Linux kernel. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (kernel memory exhaustion). (CVE-2018-6554)

 It was discovered that a use-after-free vulnerability existed in the IRDA implementation in the Linux kernel. A local attacker could use this to cause a denial of service (system crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2018-6555)

 USN 3653-2 added a mitigation for Speculative Store Bypass a.k.a. Spectre Variant 4 (CVE-2018-3639). This update provides the corresponding mitigation for ARM64 processors. Please note that for this mitigation to be effective, an updated firmware for the processor may be required. '

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Ubuntu security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

Solution

Update the affected kernel package.

See Also

https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-3777-2

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 117873

File Name: ubuntu_USN-3777-2.nasl

Version: 1.13

Type: local

Agent: unix

Published: 10/2/2018

Updated: 8/27/2024

Supported Sensors: Agentless Assessment, Continuous Assessment, Frictionless Assessment Agent, Frictionless Assessment AWS, Frictionless Assessment Azure, Nessus Agent, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 6.7

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 8.3

Temporal Score: 6.5

Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:C

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2018-14633

CVSS v3

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 7.8

Temporal Score: 7

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Temporal Vector: CVSS:3.0/E:P/RL:O/RC:C

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2018-6555

Vulnerability Information

CPE: p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:linux-image-4.15.0-36-lowlatency, cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:-:lts, p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:linux-image-4.15.0-36-generic-lpae, p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:linux-image-4.15.0-36-generic, p-cpe:/a:canonical:ubuntu_linux:linux-image-4.15.0-1021-gcp

Required KB Items: Host/cpu, Host/Ubuntu, Host/Ubuntu/release, Host/Debian/dpkg-l

Exploit Available: true

Exploit Ease: Exploits are available

Patch Publication Date: 10/1/2018

Vulnerability Publication Date: 8/20/2018

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2018-10853, CVE-2018-14633, CVE-2018-15572, CVE-2018-15594, CVE-2018-17182, CVE-2018-6554, CVE-2018-6555

USN: 3777-2